Iraq Travel Risk

Do not travel to Iraq due to terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict, crime, health risks, and the U.S. government’s limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Iraq.

Do not travel to Iraq for any reason. The U.S. government has limited ability to offer emergency services to U.S. citizens in Iraq due to the safety risks.

Armed conflict

Iranian-supported Houthis have engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure resulting in civilian casualties and severe travel disruptions. The hostilities have the potential to escalate rapidly beyond that immediate area.

The Iraqi government cannot guarantee the safety of U.S. citizens against sudden outbreaks of violence and armed conflict.

U.S. government employee travel restrictions

The Department of State requires U.S. government personnel working in Iraq to live and work under strict security protocols due to serious threats. Additional staffing posture adjustments may be imposed on U.S. personnel under Chief of Mission security responsibility due to evolving security issues.

Due to safety risks, U.S. government employees need special authorization to travel to Iraq.

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

Areas where FCDO advises against travel

Federal Iraq

FCDO advises against all travel to:

• The parts of Anbar province which are west of, but not including Ramadi City
• Diyala province except for Baqubah City
• Kirkuk province
• Ninawa province
• Salah al-Din province
• Jurf al-Sakr town in Babil province
• Sadr City, part of Baghdad province
• Within 5km of areas that border Iran in Wasit, Maysan and Basra provinces
• Within 5km of Iraq’s borders with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:

• The remainder of Al-Muthanna province
• Al-Qadasiyah province
• The remainder of Anbar province
• Babil province (except Jurf al-Sakr town)
• Baghdad province (except Sadr City)
• The remainder of Basra province, including Highways 1 and 8 and the Safwan-Kuwait border crossing
• Dhi Qar Province
• Karbala Province
• The remainder of Maysan province
• The remainder of Najaf province
• The remainder of Wasit province
• Baqubah City in Diyala province
• The road sections of Highway 34 between Baghdad and Baqubah, and Highway 2 between Baqubah and Erbil

Kurdistan Region of Iraq

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.

Consular support

Consular support is severely limited in areas where FCDO advises against travel.

This guide also has additional safety advice for regions of Iraq.

Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in Iraq

Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Iraq.

Attacks can occur throughout the country, including the Kurdistan region of Iraq, but are more frequent in areas where Daesh had a strong presence and capability. This includes parts of the provinces of:

• Anbar
• Diyala
• Ninewah
• Salah Al-Din
• Tam’mim (Kirkuk)

Foreign nationals are high-value targets for terrorists, insurgents and criminals. Indiscriminate attacks against public places and Iraqi civilians also occur. Terrorist attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visiting by foreign nationals, such as:

• airports and public transport
• land border crossings
• markets, stores, hotels and restaurants
• government buildings, political offices, police stations and military establishments
• residential compounds
• maritime facilities and oil facilities
• religious sites and ceremonies
• political events, large crowds
• sports venues and stadiums
• fake vehicle checkpoints

There is a heightened threat of attacks against western interests. While attacks can take place at any time, there’s a heightened threat during religious or public holidays. Militant groups opposed to a western presence pose a threat to UK and other interests in Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region.

Methods of attack have included:

• large-scale co-ordinated bombings designed to cause mass casualties
• rockets and mortars
• shootings
• suicide bombs
• vehicle bombs

UK prosecution for terrorism offences

If you travel to Iraq to fight, and your activities amount to offences against UK terrorism legislation, you could be prosecuted on your return to the UK.

Terrorist kidnap

There is a high threat of kidnapping throughout Iraq.

This includes both from Daesh and other terrorist and militant groups. Keep your security arrangements up-to-date and carefully plan any travel plans. Kidnappings can be for ideological reasons as well as financial or political gain.

British nationals are seen as legitimate targets, including tourists, humanitarian aid workers, oil workers, journalists and business travellers. If you are kidnapped, the reason for your presence is unlikely to protect you or secure your safe release.

The long-standing policy of the British Government is not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British Government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners builds the capability of terrorist groups and finances their activities. This can, in turn, increase the risk of further hostage-taking. The Terrorism Act (2000) makes payments to terrorists illegal.

This section has safety advice for regions of Iraq. It only covers regions where the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has specific advice.

You should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice.

Northern and western Iraq

Areas liberated from Daesh are likely to contain remnants of war and improvised explosive devices.

Baghdad

Routes in and out of Baghdad and its airport may close with little or no notice. Check your routes in advance of travelling.

Stay alert and follow the advice of local authorities.

Avoid political gatherings and large crowds. Reduce your movement around banks, restaurants, and shopping malls. Follow instructions from security officials.

Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI)

Routes in and out of the KRI, including Erbil International Airport and Sulaymaniyah International Airport, may close at short notice. If the airport closes, expect significant delays at land border crossings. Check your routes in advance of travelling.

Stay alert and follow the advice of local authorities. Stay away from political gatherings and large crowds.

Foreign nationals crossing the border illegally from neighbouring countries into the Kurdistan Region of Iraq have been arrested for immigration offences. Prosecuted offenders could face a prison sentence of up to 5 years or fines of several thousand US dollars.

Partial regional extract; read the full official section.

Risk level

IRAQ - AVOID ALL TRAVEL

Avoid all travel to Iraq due to the volatile security situation in the region.

You should leave Iraq at the earliest opportunity while commercial options are available.

The Government of Canada’s ability to provide consular assistance in Iraq is extremely limited.

Tensions in the Middle East

The security situation remains volatile due to ongoing military activity in the region.

Missile and drone attacks have resumed and struck various locations in Iraq. Military activity in the region may cause travel disruptions, including flight cancellations

Filming, taking photos and online sharing of images of military installations, activity or damage could lead to severe penalties pursuant to the enforcement of local laws and regulations across the region.

You should:

• be vigilant and follow the instructions of local authorities at all times
• be prepared to shelter in place if instructed to do so
• ensure that your travel documents and those of your family are up to date
• monitor local and international media to stay informed of the rapidly evolving situation
• sign up with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service to receive important additional information specific to your location

Situation in the Middle East: Information for Canadians in the region

Border areas

Despite counter-terrorism operations and regional peace efforts, the northern borders of Iraq remain dangerous due to the presence of terrorist groups and occasional military strikes against them. People suspected of illegally crossing the Iraq-Syria border risk being detained by the Iraqi authorities and if convicted, sentenced to up to 15 years in prison.

Unexploded ordnances

Despite clearing efforts, unexploded ordnance from previous wars in the region continue to pose a security risk throughout Iraq, especially in border areas with Iran and Kuwait. The following governorates are also affected due to past terrorist activity:

• Kirkuk
• Salah ad-Din
• Nineveh
• Diyala
• Anbar

If you suspect that unexploded ordnance may be present:

• be extremely vigilant, especially in remote areas
• stay on paved and main roads
• don’t walk in fields
• avoid roadside ditches, shoulders and unmarked trails
• report any suspicious items to local authorities

伊拉克现有橙色（高风险）地区14个，其他地区均为红色（极高风险）。具体如下：

一、橙色地区：卡尔巴拉、瓦西特、纳杰夫、迪瓦尼亚、穆萨纳、济加尔、米桑、巴士拉、埃尔比勒、杜胡克、苏莱曼尼亚、哈拉卜贾、巴比伦、巴格达等14个省。外交部提醒中国公民近期谨慎前往上述地区，已在当地的人员和机构密切关注局势发展，保持高度警惕，加强安全防范和应急准备，确保人身和财产安全。如遇紧急情况，请及时报警并与中国驻当地使领馆取得联系。

二、红色地区：上述14省以外地区。外交部提醒中国公民近期暂勿前往伊拉克上述14个省以外地区，已在当地的人员和机构尽快撤离或转移至安全地区。如遇紧急情况，请及时报警并与中国驻当地使领馆取得联系。

外交部和驻外使领馆将继续密切关注海外安全风险形势变化，动态调整有关风险评估，并实时在中国领事服务网等平台发布、更新相应安全提醒，请持续关注。